System, method, and computer-readable medium for dynamic device discovery for servers binding to multiple masters

ABSTRACT

A system that facilitate broadcast of a device discovery beacon by a dynamic physical device wishing to bind to one or more control systems are provided. If the dynamic physical device comprises a server that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may include a device Type Flag and set the value of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical device comprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controller evaluates the device Type Flag if it is present in the device discovery beacon. If the device Type Flag is present and indicates the dynamic physical device comprise a server which may bind to multiple master controllers, the master controller may automatically load a device Module for the dynamic physical device and commence communications with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/162,512, entitled METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLEMEDIUM FOR DYNAMIC DEVICE DISCOVERY FOR SERVERS BINDING TO MULTIPLEMASTERS, filed Jan. 23, 2014, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,948,172, issuedon Feb. 3, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/487,345, entitled SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUMFOR DYNAMIC DEVICE DISCOVERY FOR SERVERS BINDING TO MULTIPLE MASTERS,filed Jun. 4, 2012, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,644,312, issued on Feb.4, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/344,732, entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM FORDYNAMIC DEVICE DISCOVERY FOR SERVERS BINDING TO MULTIPLE MASTERS”, filedMar. 2, 2009, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,194,660, issued on Jun. 5,2012, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser.No. 11/636,918, entitled “METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM USINGSTANDARD INTERFACES FOR INDEPENDENT DEVICE CONTROLLERS”, filed Dec. 11,2006, which is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 11/222,885,entitled “METHOD, SYSTEM. AND COMPUTER PROGRAM USING STANDARD INTERFACESFOR INDEPENDENT DEVICE CONTROLLERS”, filed Sep. 9, 2005, which claimsthe benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/608,439, filed Sep. 9, 2004. This application isalso related to U.S. provisional patent application. Ser. No.61/017,628, entitled, “Dynamic Device Discovery for Servers Binding toMultiple Masters”, filed Dec. 29, 2007, and U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/017,620, entitled, “Server Enabled DeviceDescription”, filed Dec. 29, 2007, the disclosures of which areincorporated in its entirety herein reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to control systems and, moreparticularly, to mechanisms for dynamic device discovery for serversbinding to multiple master controllers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many systems, such as control systems, monitoring systems, and the like(collectively referred to herein as control systems), exist that allowthe discovery of devices in the control system. However, contemporarymechanisms utilize discovery protocols that allow a device to bind toonly a single master.

Conventional discovery and static binding routines require anadministrator to make an explicit, manual choice of which mastercontroller a device is bound. Some mechanisms provide an auto-bindoption that facilitates a master controller to automatically bind to anydevice which matches a dynamic application device maintained by themaster controller. However, contemporary auto-bind mechanisms may causecatastrophic, undefined results when multiple master controllers attemptto bind to the same physical device, e.g., physical devices that are notconfigured to be bound to multiple master controllers. Accordingly,static binding mechanisms are preferred in conventional systems whenmultiple master controllers are listening to the same multicast addressfor a common device type.

Numerous systems exist, such as Remote Monitoring Systems (RMSs), whichinclude servers that must bind to multiple master controllers. Staticbinding mechanisms are typically employed if multiple masters monitor acommon multicast address to avoid binding of devices to multiplecontrollers even if servers are deployed that must bind to multiplemasters. Consequently, an administrator must disadvantageously manuallybind the servers to each of the master controllers.

Therefore, what is needed is a device discovery mechanism that allowsservers to automatically bind to multiple master controllers withoutcollisions, thereby overcoming the need to manually bind each mastercontroller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system, method, and computer readablemedium for dynamic device discovery and binding of servers to multiplemaster controllers. A device discovery beacon that includes a deviceType Flag may be broadcast by a dynamic physical device. If the dynamicphysical device comprises a server that is configured to bind tomultiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device sets the valueof the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical devicecomprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controllerconfigured according to disclosed embodiments may evaluate the deviceType Flag. Upon determining the device Type Flag indicates the dynamicphysical device comprise a server, the master controller may load adevice Module for the dynamic physical device and commencecommunications with the dynamic physical device. In this instance, themaster controller advantageously does not broadcast a bindingnotification thereby allowing other master controllers to bind with thesame dynamic physical device.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, a method of binding a system serverdevice to a controller is provided. The method includes receiving, by afirst master controller, a first device discovery beacon from a firstsystem server device, evaluating the beacon for inclusion of a devicetype flag, determining the beacon includes the device type flag,evaluating a value of the device type flag, determining the valueindicates the first system server device comprises a server configuredto bind to multiple master controllers, and loading, by the first mastercontroller, an instance of a device module associated with the firstsystem server device responsive to determining the value indicates thedevice comprises a server configured to bind to multiple mastercontrollers.

In a further embodiment of the disclosure, a computer-readable mediumhaving computer-executable instructions for execution by a processingsystem, the computer-executable instructions for binding a system serverdevice to a controller is provided. The computer-readable mediumcomprises instructions that, when executed, cause the processing systemto receive, by a first master controller, a first device discoverybeacon from a first system server device, evaluate the beacon forinclusion of a device type flag, determine the beacon includes thedevice type flag, evaluate a value of the device type flag, determinethe value indicates the system server device comprises a serverconfigured to bind to multiple master controllers, load, by the firstmaster controller, an instance of a device module associated with thefirst system server device responsive to determining the value indicatesthe device comprises a server configured to bind to multiple mastercontrollers, and commence communication and control of the first systemserver device by the first master controller responsive to loading theinstance of the device module.

In a further embodiment of the disclosure, a system for binding acontrol system device to a controller is provided. The system comprisesa first dynamic physical device comprising a server configured to bindto multiple master controllers, a first master controllercommunicatively coupled with the first dynamic physical device andhaving a first instance of a dynamic application device corresponding tothe first dynamic physical device, and a second master controllercommunicatively coupled with the first dynamic physical device andhaving a second instance of the dynamic application device correspondingto the first dynamic physical device. The first dynamic physical devicebroadcasts a first device discovery beacon including a device type flaghaving a value that indicates the first dynamic physical devicecomprises a server. The first master controller and the second mastercontroller receive the first device discovery beacon and respectivelyevaluate the device type flag value. The first master controller loads afirst instance of a device module associated with the first dynamicphysical device responsive to determining the value indicates the firstdynamic physical device comprises a server, and the second mastercontroller loads a second instance of the device module responsive todetermining the value indicates the first dynamic physical devicecomprises a server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified top-level block diagram of a control systemconfiguration according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the components of a mastercontroller according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a standard interface devicecontroller configuration according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another standard interface devicecontroller configuration according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating command processing using a standardinterface device controller according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control system configurationinterconnecting two disparate protocols according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the components of a dynamicdevice detection application according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8A is a flow chart generally illustrating dynamic device processingaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a flow chart illustrating dynamic IP device processingaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8C is a flow chart illustrating dynamic serial device processingaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 9-14 illustrate an exemplary user interface and computer programfor managing dynamic devices according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic representation of a control systemconfiguration that provides for device control and monitoring and inwhich a dynamic device discovery routine implemented in accordance withdisclosed embodiments may be deployed;

FIG. 16 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a contemporary devicediscovery and binding mechanism;

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic representation of a signaling flow of acontemporary device discovery and static binding routine;

FIG. 18 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a device discovery andbinding mechanism implemented in accordance with disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 19 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a signaling flow of adevice discovery and binding routine that facilitates binding a serverto multiple masters in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 20 is a flowchart that depicts a device discovery and bindingroutine that facilitates binding a server to multiple masters inaccordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides manydifferent embodiments or examples for implementing different features ofvarious embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangementsare described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, ofcourse, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting.

I. Duet Overview

Referring to FIG. 1, a simplified top-level block diagram of a controlsystem 10 configuration according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. One or more devices 16 a-16 n in the control system10 can send control commands to and/or receive control messages from amaster controller 40 on one or more control area networks 12 and 12 a.The present invention includes common application programming interfaces(APIs) that are used to represent the one or more devices 16 a-16 n. Theone or more devices 16 a-16 n may be wholly unrelated in technology.Therefore, the common APIs represent the one or more devices 16 a-16 nby defining a structure whereby different device technologies aregrouped together into classes by common operation and/or functionalityfrom the general to the specific. Thus, different classes are used torepresent different groups and subgroups of technology for the one ormore devices 16 a-16 n. For instance, a class may represent all homeentertainment devices, such as VCR, television, CD and DVD. Anotherclass may represent specifically all brands of VCRs and another classmay represent a particular brand/vendor of the VCR. The presentinvention recognizes that even devices that are wholly unrelated intechnology may share common functionality. For instance, a DVD, TIVO,VCR, LD and Cassette Deck each share the functional ability of playingsome form of media. Thus, common APIs are used to abstract theoperational and/or functional capabilities of the one or more devices 16a-16 n, such that applications may communicate with the one or moredevices 16 a-16 n without concern for the underlying technology and/orproprietary protocols of the devices.

Control system 10 includes one or more control area networks (CAN) 12and 12 a. Control area networks 12 and 12 a are local area networks usedto interconnect a variety of devices 16 a-16 n, user interface device 14and master controller 40. Optionally, the control area network may beused to interconnect other networks 18 and 20, such as a proprietarynetwork, local area network, an Intranet, or the Internet. Control areanetworks 12 and 12 a may be used to interconnect multiple disparateprotocols. For instance, a Microsoft UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)network may be interconnected to a Sun Microsystems JINI network viacontrol area networks 12 and 12 a. Devices 16 a-16 n include, but arenot limited to, physical and logical devices, equipment, and appliances.The underlying network may be wired, wireless, power line carriers, orany suitable transmission medium. Some devices may be coupled to controlarea networks 12 and 12 a via additional intermediate communicationsdevices such as an RS 232 controller (not shown).

User interface device 14 is any device that is capable of receiving userinput and displaying or indicating control network status. For example,a touch panel, a computer terminal with a monitor, keyboard and pointingdevice, and any device with similar functionalities may serve as userinterface device 14. In addition, a user interface is any device that iscapable of receiving user input such as a simple push button keypad,which may not have indicators for feedback, or an Infrared remotecontrol.

Master controller 40 generally includes a CPU-based controller thatcontrols the communications among user interface device 14 and devices16 a-16 n. It is operable to receive user inputs received by userinterface devices, such as commands, and instruct the appropriate device16 a-16 n to act according to the command. Master controller 40 may alsopoll each device in control area network 12 periodically to monitor itsstatus. The system status and/or the status of each device may be sentto user interface device 14 for display. The devices 16 a-16 n, userinterface devices 15 and master controllers 40 may also be configured tohandle dynamic device discovery within control system 10.

Devices 16 a-16 n are configured to receive commands from mastercontroller 40 and operate or act according to the command. Devices 16a-16 n may include equipment that affect or monitor the variousparameters of the premises. For example, devices 16 a-16 n may includeheating and air conditioning, lighting, video equipment, audioequipment, sprinklers, security cameras, infrared sensors, smokedetectors, or other similar device in a residential or commercialcontrol area network 12. Devices 16 a-16 n may also be householdappliances, such as a hot tub, fireplace, microwave oven, coffee maker,or other similar device that are capable of providing a current statusof its operational state to master controller 40, such as on/off,temperature settings, current ambient temperature, light intensitysettings, volume settings, threshold settings, and predeterminedalphanumeric strings reflective of operational states. Further, devices16 a-16 n may represent a logical device, such as another control system10 or a virtual device. In one embodiment, a virtual device may beconfigured to represent multiple physical devices.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram illustrating the components of amaster controller 40 according to an embodiment of the present inventionis shown. Master controller 40 includes, but is not limited to, devicecontrol firmware 44, a NetLinx interpreter 42 executing a NetLinxprogram 48 a, memory area 46, one or more control ports 54 and a Javavirtual machine 60. One or more devices 16 a-16 n and user interfacedevice 14 are connected to master controller via control ports 54, orother input means (not shown). Memory Area 46 includes a NetLinx program48 that is executed as NetLinx program 48 a by NetLinx interpreter 42,and one or more Java libraries 50 and 52 that are used by the Javavirtual machine 60. The one or more Java libraries 50 and 52 may bedynamically loaded and/or updated with new methods while the Javavirtual machine 60 is executing. The Java libraries 50 and 52 may beeither a standard Java Archive (JAR) file or an Open Service GatewayInitiative (OSGi) bundle. An OSGi bundle is a JAR (.jar) file with amanifest file (.mf) listing the services that are exported by the bundle(via a package name) as well as any service that the bundle itselfrequires for execution. Within the OSGi framework every bundle has apre-defined lifecycle.

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating a standard interfacedevice controller configuration according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. The Java virtual machine 60 includes afirmware event module 80, a router (referred to as a “SNAPI object”) 62,DUET object 66, and optionally one or more other Java objects 70. In oneembodiment, the DUET object 66 is dynamically loaded and/or updated fromone or more Java libraries 50 and 52. In this case, the one or more Javalibraries 50 and 52 are referred to as “DUET modules” since theyrepresent the uninstantiated DUET objects 66.

Generally, the DUET object 66 provides services to translate between aset of device specific API calls and a device's proprietary protocol,thereby hiding the proprietary protocol from the service user. Forexample, a DUET object 66 that is communicating with a VCR that uses aproprietary serial protocol might provide PLAY, STOP, PAUSE, FFW andREWIND services via the DUET API 78. The DUET object 66 generates thenecessary serial protocol data and communicates with the VCR. Any objecthaving access to the DUET object 66 could invoke a DUET API 78 method toaffect change on the physical VCR with no knowledge of the underlyingprotocol.

The DUET object 66 contains a majority of the translation between astandard API and the proprietary protocol of the one or more devices 16a-16 n. For instance, the DUET object 66 contains a majority of thetranslation between the standard API and the proprietary protocol for amanufacturer's brand of a particular physical device. The DUET object 66may include one or more NetLinx device class 68 objects each having aNetLinx API 74, and a standard DUET API 78 grouped into devicecategories. The DUET API 78 device categories include, but are notlimited to, a switcher, an A/V receiver, a plasma monitor, a videoprojector, a television, a digital satellite system (DSS), a set topbox, a disk device, a DVR/PVR, a digital media player, a VCR, a videoconferencer, an audio conferencer, an audio tuner, a cassette deck, alevel controller, a pre-amplifier, a audio processor, a camera, adocument camera, a slide projector, lights, an HVAC, a security system,a weather device, a pool or spa, and a lift/screen/shade/window/door.Each DUET API 78 device category includes a standard API that isspecific to that device category. For instance, the DUET API 78 mayinclude play ( ), stop ( ), pause ( ), fw ( ) and rewind ( ) methodsthat correspond to VCR devices.

The DUET object 66 communicates with the SNAPI object 62, the FW eventmodule 80 and, optionally, one or more other Java objects 70. The DUETobject 66 implements a standard DUET API 78. The SNAPI object 62communicates with the DUET object 66 by invoking methods specific todevice categories in the standard DUET API 78 of the DUET object 66. Oneor more NetLinx device class 68 objects will then execute the necessarydevice specific processing for a specific task. The NetLinx device class68 encapsulates the communication protocols necessary to communicatewith a specific device or equipment controlling device (e.g., a singleDPS (device:port:system)). The NetLinx device class 68 API includes, butis not limited to, on ( ), off ( ), send_level ( ) and send_string ( )methods. For example, a play ( ) method on an IR controlled VCR wouldrequest the underlying physical device (IR emitter) to send IR pulses toa VCR, thereby resulting in a play operation on the VCR. However, notall DUET objects 66 will have a NetLinx device class 68. Access to oneor more devices 16 a-16 n may also be through some other Java enabledtransport (e.g., TCP/IP sockets), instead of a NetLinx device class 68.

The one or more devices 16 a-16 n indirectly communicate with the DUETobject 66 using event handlers. In particular, the one or more devices16 a-16 n communicate with the device control firmware 44, the devicecontrol firmware 44 routes any communication to the FW event module 80,and the FW event module 80 posts events to pass this communication to aNetLinx device class 68 of the DUET object 66. The DUET NetLinx deviceclass 68 includes, but is not limited to, a IChannelListener interface,a IButtonListener interface, a ILevelListener interface, a IDataListenerinterface and a ICustomListener interface, each having one or morecorresponding event handler methods to catch the event posted by the FWevent module 80. The IButtonListener handles button push and releaseevents. The IChannelListener handles channel on and off events. TheILevelListener handles level events. The IDataListener handles string,command, online and offline events. The ICustomListener is a catch-allfor all other types of events. A DUET NetLinx device class 68 onlyimplements those interfaces that it needs. The DUET object 66 processesdevice events by translating proprietary event data into a status objectthat is understood by the SNAPI object 62 along with any other entity,such as other Java objects 70, listening for events from one or moredevices 16 a-16 n. Entities that wish to receive device events registeras a listener with the DUET object 66. When an event occurs, the eventdata is packaged into a status object and a predefined handler routineis called for each of the registered listeners.

A DUET object 66 does not necessarily have its own processing thread.For instance, a DUET object 66 utilizing a NetLinx device class 68object as its connect to one or more devices 16 a-16 n will most likelynot have its own thread. Instead, its ‘receive’ thread is provided by anunderlying event router thread that is receiving data from the firmwareevent module 80. Whereas, a DUET object that communicates with one ormore devices 16 a-16 n via a TCP/IP socket must provide a separatethread of execution as a listener to the TCP/IP socket.

A SNAPI object 62 is the inverse of a DUET object 66. The SNAPI object62 processes data coming into the JVM in a proprietary format andtranslates it into calls made into a DUET object 66. The SNAPI object 62is configured to indirectly communicate with a NetLinx program 48 a. TheSNAPI object 62 may include one or more NetLinx device class 64 objectseach having a NetLinx API 72, and a standard DUET feedback API 76. TheSNAPI object 62 communicates with both the DUET object 66 and the FWevent module 80. The NetLinx program 48 a indirectly communicates withthe SNAPI object 62 using event handlers. In particular, the NetLinxprogram 48 a communicates with the device control firmware 44, thedevice control firmware 44 routes any communication to the FW eventmodule 80, and the FW event module 80 posts events to pass thiscommunication to a NetLinx device class 64 of the SNAPI object 62.Similar to the DUET NetLinx device class 68, the SNAPI NetLinx deviceclass 64 includes, but is not limited to, a IChannelListener interface,a IButtonListener interface, a ILevelListener interface, a IDataListenerinterface and a ICustomListener interface, each having one or morecorresponding event handler methods to catch the event thrown by the FWevent module 80.

Optionally, a DUET object 66 may expose multiple DUET APIs 78 in orderto represent a device 16 a-16 n having combination functionality. Forexample, if a DUET object 66 controls a combination VCR/DVD playerdevice 16 a, the DUET object 66 could expose a VCR DUET API 78 and a DVDDUET API 78. Thereby, Java objects 70 would have access to the VCRfunctionality of the combination VCR/DVD player device 16 a by invokingmethods in the VCR DUET API 78 and access to the DVD functionality ofthe combination VCR/DVD player device 16 a through the DVD DUET API 78.

Optionally, a single DUET object 66 may also serve as a controller formultiple physical devices 16 a-16 n, thereby creating a new abstractdevice. For example, a DUET object 66 could represent a matrix orlibrary of VCR devices 16 a-16 n by having multiple NetLinx device classobjects 68, each controlling a different physical VCR device 16 a-16 n.

Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram illustrating another standardinterface device controller configuration according to an embodiment ofthe present invention is shown. In this embodiment, one or more of theother Java objects 70 is a router object 70 a that may include a NetLinxdevice class 64 having a NetLinx API 72. The router object 70 a hassimilar functionality as the SNAPI object 62 previously described, butis configured to communicate directly with Java programs using Javamethods.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, multiple Java objects 70 a-70 n (FIG. 4) or70 (FIG. 3) may communicate with a single DUET object 66 and itsassociated one or more devices 16 a-16 n by invoking methods in thestandard DUET API 78 of the DUET object 66. For example, a Java object70 a that controls a touchpanel and a Java object 70 b that controls akeypad may both communicate with a particular VCR device 16 a which iscontrolled through a single DUET object 66. In this instance, both Javaobjects 70 a and 70 b could invoke DUET API 78 method(s) to affectchanges on the physical VCR device 16 a. Similarly, both Java objects 70a and 70 b would be notified of changes on the VCR device 16 a throughtheir respective DUET feedback APIs 76.

The configuration as shown in FIG. 3 may be used to communicate with aNetLinx program 48 a whereas the configuration as shown in FIG. 4 may beused to communicate with existing and future generations of Java enableddevices. Optionally, the configurations shown as in FIGS. 3 and 4 mayco-exist simultaneously in the same control system 10, such that Javaprograms and NetLinx programs may co-exist within the same controlsystem 10.

II. Duet System Processing

Referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart illustrating command processing usinga standard interface device controller according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. As shown at block 92, data is generated froma user interface device 14 that will be communicated to one or moredevices 16 a-16 n. Data may be generated from the user interface device14 by the user entering an alphanumeric string, clicking on a buttonicon on a graphical user interface, pushing a button on a touch panel,or other suitable input. The user interface device 14 then forms acontrol system message including, but not limited to, a channelassociated with the data and/or the sender of the message, as shown atblock 94. Each of the one or more devices 16 a-16 n, both sender andrecipient devices, are uniquely identified by a DPS (device:port:system)value. A channel is a number uniquely identifying each addressableoperation, component or graphical element of each device 14 and 16 a-16n. For instance, each button icon on a graphical user interface of theuser interface device 14 is assigned a unique channel number. Further,the play, stop and rewind operation on a VCR device 16 a-16 n are eachassigned unique channel numbers. The message is then sent onto thecontrol area network 12, as shown at block 96. As shown at block 98, themaster controller 40 on that network receives the message via one ormore control ports 54. Control ports 54 include, but are not limited to,Infrared (IR) ports, serial ports, relays and digital I/O.

A channel state associated with the origin of the data (e.g., aparticular button pressed on user interface device 14) is turned ON bythe device control FW 44 to indicate that the channel is on, as shown atblock 100. A message incorporating the channel number and the sender ofthe message is then sent to a NetLinx program 48 a executed by a NetLinxinterpreter 42, as shown at block 102. As shown at block 104, theNetLinx program 48 a determines the appropriate action based on thechannel number. Based on that action, the NetLinx program 48 a forms amessage including the appropriate recipient and a channel numberuniquely identifying an operation on the recipient device 16 a-16 n. Themessage is sent via device control firmware 44 to FW event module 80within the Java virtual machine 60, as shown at block 106. As shown atblock 108, based on the recipient and channel number, an appropriateevent handler method is invoked within a NetLinx device class 64 of theSNAPI object 62. The event handler method invokes one or more DUET APIs78 having standard API methods that correspond to one or more operationson the recipient device 16 a-16 n, as shown at block 110. An appropriatemethod within a DUET NetLinx device class 68 is then invoked by the DUETAPI 78, as shown at block 112. The DUET NetLinx device class 68 methodthen communicates the requested operation to the recipient device 16a-16 n using the recipient's device protocol, as shown at block 114. Asshown at block 116, the requested operation is thereby performed on therecipient device 16 a-16 n.

Depending on the recipient device 16 a-16 n and the requested operation,the recipient device 16 a-16 n may or may not send a response messageonto control area network 12. If the recipient device 16 a-16 n doessend a response message, then the response message is sent onto thecontrol area network 12 as shown at block 122. As shown at block 124,the master controller 40 on that network receives the message via one ormore control ports 54, and then processes the message. A channelassociated with the operation on the device 16 a-16 n is turned ON bythe device control FW 44, as shown at block 126. A message incorporatingthe channel number and the sender of the message is then sent via devicecontrol firmware 44 to FW event module 80 within the Java virtualmachine 60, as shown at block 128.

As shown at block 130, based on the sender and channel number, anappropriate event handler method is invoked within a NetLinx deviceclass 68 of the DUET object 66. The event handler method invokes one ormore DUET feedback API 76 standard API methods that correspond to one ormore operations in the SNAPI router 62, as shown at block 132. Anappropriate method within the SNAPI NetLinx device class 64 is theninvoked by the DUET API 78, as shown at block 134. As shown at block136, the SNAPI NetLinx device class 64 method then determines theappropriate recipient based on the channel number and forms a messageincluding the appropriate recipient and a channel number uniquelyidentifying a SNAPI router notification 82. The message is sent viadevice control firmware 44 to the NetLinx program 48 a and executed by aNetLinx interpreter 42, as shown at block 138.

As shown at block 140, the NetLinx program 48 a determines theappropriate action based on the channel number. Based on that action,NetLinx program 48 a forms a message including the appropriate recipientand a channel number uniquely identifying a component on user interface14. The message is sent via device control firmware 44 to user interfacedevice 14, as shown at block 144. A channel associated with the originof the data (e.g., a particular button pressed on user interface device14) is updated by the device control FW, as shown at block 142. The ONstate of the channel of the origin of the data (e.g., a particularbutton pressed on user interface device 14) is conveyed to the userinterface device 14, such that the user interface device 14 may providefeedback to the user. For instance, highlighting a particular button, asshown at block 146.

For example, referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, as shown at block 92, a usermay have selected a “play” button on a touch panel of a user interfacedevice 14 that corresponds to a particular VCR 16 a. Assuming that the“play” button is identified as channel “40” and the user interfacedevice 14 is identified as sender “128:1:1,” a message will be formedcontaining at least the sender, channel pair (e.g., the message contains“128:1:1” and “40”). The user interface device 14 may send the messageto the master controller 40 via a serial control port 54 on the mastercontroller 40. A channel state (e.g., “40”) associated with the “play”button on user interface device 14 is turned ON by the master controllerto indicate that the channel is on, as shown at block 100. A messageincorporating the channel number, the sender of the message, and therecipient of the message is then sent to a NetLinx program 48 a executedby a NetLinx interpreter 42, as shown at block 102.

As shown at block 104, the NetLinx program 48 a determines theparticular VCR device 16 a based on the channel number of the “play”button of the user interface 14 and forms a message including the VCR 16a and a channel number uniquely identifying an operation on the VCR 16a. Assuming that the “play” operation on the VCR is identified aschannel “60” and the SNAPI NetLinx device class 64 representing VCR 16 ais identified as recipient “4000:1:1,” a message will be formedcontaining at least the recipient, channel pair (e.g., the messagecontains “4000:1:1” and “60”).

The message is sent via device control firmware 44 to FW event module 80within the Java virtual machine 60, as shown at block 106. As shown atblock 108, based on the recipient and channel number, a channel eventhandler method is invoked within a NetLinx device class 64 of the SNAPIobject 62. The event handler method invokes the play ( ) method of theDUET API 78 standard API that correspond to the play operation on theVCR 16 a, as shown at block 110. The sendString ( ) method within theDUET NetLinx device class 68 is then invoked by the DUET API 78, asshown at block 112. The DUET NetLinx device class 68 method thencommunicates the requested operation to the VCR 16 a using the VCR'sproprietary protocol, as shown at block 114. As shown at block 116, theplay operation is thereby performed on the VCR 16 a.

Referring to FIG. 6, a block diagram illustrating a control systemconfiguration interconnecting two disparate protocols according to anembodiment of the present invention is shown. In this configuration, oneor more devices in a UPnP network 18 a communicate with a UPnP router 62a having similar functionality as the SNAPI object 62 previouslydescribed. Further, one or more devices in a JINI network 20 acommunicate with a JINI router 62 b also having similar functionality asthe SNAPI object 62 previously described. Devices on the UPnP network 18a are interconnected to devices on the JINI network 20 a via DUET object66. Additionally, devices 16 a-16 n, such as VCR 16 c, on a control areanetwork 12 may communicate with one or more devices on either the UPnPnetwork 18 a or the JINI network 20 a.

III. Dynamic Device Discovery

According to the present invention, one or more devices 16 a-16 n, userinterface devices 14, and/or master controllers 40 may be configured tohandle dynamic device discovery within control system 10. The presentinvention provides for one or more devices 16 a-16 n to be dynamicallyadded, updated or removed within control system 10, prior to or duringits operation. As an example, a developer using the present inventionmay write or utilize generic code to control any brand of VCR. Althoughthe underlying control mechanisms for the different types and brands ofVCRs may be fundamentally different, the functionality (e.g., play,stop, pause) is generally common between VCRs. Thus, the actualunderlying control mechanisms for the physical device may be abstractedfunctionally through the use of the generic code. According to oneembodiment of the present invention, a physical device is associatedwith an application device. The underlying application device isdynamically associated upon the detection of a new physical device basedon the characteristics of that device. This association may beaccomplished without underlying changes to the generic code. The genericcode is also referred to as the “glue code.” In another embodiment,application device is dynamically associated a virtual device 16 a-16 nwhich represents one or more physical devices 16 a-16 n.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, a control program development application 41provides user interfaces for the development of a control program. Inone embodiment, the control program is a NetLinx program. Within theNetLinx program, the user defines invocations to the Load_Duet_Module () method. The method parameters include an application deviceidentifier, a physical device identifier and a list of properties(name/value pairs). The control program utilizes an application deviceto direct all control requests for a device 16 a-16 n. The physicaldevice identifier is used by DUET Object 66 to create NetLinx deviceclass 68 objects to communicate with device 16 a-16 n. The list ofproperties (name/value pairs) describe the module to be loaded. Theseproperties include, but are not limited to, Device-Make, Device-Model,Device-SDKClass and Device-Revision. The control program developmentapplication 41 may transfer NetLinx program 48 a to master controller40. The control program development application 41 may also transfer anycorresponding DUET and SNAPI modules to one or more Java libraries 50and 52. In one embodiment, such transfers are stored on a flash disk ofmaster controller 40.

During run-time execution of master controller 40, NetLinx interpreter42 invokes one or more Load_Duet_Module ( ) methods within NetLinxprogram 48 a using Java native interface (JNI) within device access 61.Device Access 61 searches one or more Java libraries 50 and 52 for anOSGi bundle which best matches the properties supplied as a parameter tothe Load_Duet_Module ( ) method. If a match is found, device access 61instantiates the corresponding DUET object 66 and SNAPI object 62 usingthe matching OSGi bundle. The DUET object 66 then creates NetLinx deviceclass 68 object based on the physical device identifier supplied as aparameter to the Load_Duet_Module ( ) method. The NetLinx device class68 object communicates via communication paths 86 and 88, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, with physical device 16 a-16 n using an appropriateprotocol for that device. The SNAPI object 62 creates one or moreNetLinx device class 64 objects based on the virtual device identifiersupplied as a parameter to the Load_Duet_Module ( ) method. NetLinxdevice class 64 object communicates via communication paths 82 and 84,as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, with the NetLinx Interpreter 42 runningNetLinx program 48 a.

Referring to FIG. 7, a block diagram illustrating the components of adynamic device detection application according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. As previously mentioned, control programdevelopment application 41 provides user interfaces for the developmentof a control program. In one embodiment, within a NetLinx program, theuser defines invocations to the Dynamic_Polled_Port ( ) method tospecify one or more serial ports to be polled for dynamic serial devices16 a-16 n. The user may also define invocations to theDynamic_Application_Device ( ) method to specify any device interfacesto be used within the control application for each applicationinterface. For serial devices in which the user knows what serial porton master controller 40 the serial device 16 a-16 n will be connectedto, the user can define an invocation to the Static_Port_Binding ( )method to specify binding an application device to the physical devicevia the specified serial port. The control program developmentapplication 41 may transfer NetLinx program 48 a to master controller40. In one embodiment, NetLinx program 48 a is stored on a flash disk ofmaster controller 40.

During run-time execution of master controller 40, NetLinx interpreter42 invokes one or more Dynamic_Polled_Port ( ) methods within NetLinxprogram 48 a using JNI within dynamic device detection application 165.This results in the serial port being added to polled serial devicesdatabase 233. NetLinx Interpreter 42 invokes one or moreDynamic_Application_Device ( ) methods within NetLinx program 48 a usingJNI within device access 61. This results in the creation of one or moredynamic application device objects which are then added to applicationdevice database 231. The dynamic application device objects may includethe parameter information provided as a parameter to theDynamic_Application_Device ( ) method. NetLinx Interpreter 42 invokesone or more Static_Port_Binding ( ) methods within NetLinx program 48 ausing JNI within device access 61. This results in the creation of adynamic application device object which is added to application devicedatabase 231. A corresponding shell dynamic physical device is alsoadded to device database 230. The shell dynamic physical device includesthe physical device identifier provided as a parameter to theStatic_Port_Binding ( ) method and acts as a placeholder for thebinding.

Serial device detector 166 may be configured to periodically loopthrough polled serial device database 161, transmit a poll request tothe polled serial devices and to listen for poll responses. IP devicedetector 167 may similarly be configured to listen for IP devicesdiscovered on IP sockets. In one embodiment, this is accomplished usinga Multicast UDP address.

Binding Application 163 provides user interfaces for managing bindingsbetween dynamic application devices and physical devices 16 a-16 n.Binding application 163 may be configured to request that dynamic devicedetection application 165 retrieve information from application devicedatabase 231 and device database 230.

Binding registry 162 is a persistent disk storage of the current bindinginformation. In one embodiment, the binding registry 162 contains whichdynamic application devices that are bound to dynamic physical devices.Thereby, upon the reboot of master controller 40, the binding settingsprovided by the user through the binding application 163 will not belost.

Transfer application 164 provides an interface for users to upload DUETmodules onto master controller 40, delete modules from master controller40 and to retrieve existing modules from master controller. An unboundportion of the Java Libraries may be used to prevent conflicts with anyrunning/bound DUET modules and their associated DUET objects 66.

When a physical device is discovered by the dynamic device detectionapplication 165, its beacon information along with the physical devicediscovery location (e.g., the IP address or the serial port) are used toadd the dynamic physical device to device database 230. Based on thecurrent binding settings, dynamic device detection application 165determines whether a DUET Object 66 should be instantiated.

When dynamic device detection application 165 determines that a DUETobject 66 should be instantiated, either by user interaction frombinding application 163 or by discovery of a new dynamic physical devicehaving a pre-existing binding provided by binding registry 162, theinformation contained within the bound dynamic application device anddynamic physical device are used to invoke methods within the deviceaccess object 61 to create a DUET Object 66 and its associated SNAPIobject 62. If a pre-existing DUET module was destroyed, then a method isinvoked within device access 61 to destroy the existing the DUET object66 and its associated SNAPI object 62.

Upon the request to create a DUET Object 66 from dynamic devicedetection application 165, device access 61 searches one or more Javalibraries 50 and 52 for an appropriate DUET module which best matchesthe properties originating from the dynamic application device anddynamic physical device objects. If a matching DUET module is found,device access 61 instantiates a corresponding DUET object 66 based onthe DUET module. Device Access 61 may omit the search step if the userhas specified a specific DUET module to be used via the bindingapplication. In this case, the search process is ignored and deviceaccess 61 instantiates a DUET object 66 based on the specified DUETmodule.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a flow chart illustrating dynamic deviceprocessing according to one possible embodiment of the present inventionis shown. As shown at block 200, dynamic device detection occurs withincontrol system 10. Device detection is discussed in detail with respectto FIGS. 8B and 8C below. As generally shown at blocks 174-190, upondetection of a new device 16 a-16 n within control system 10, anapplication device is associated with device 16 a-16 n.

The information contained in an application device is used toinstantiate a SNAPI object 62. All control requests are then made to theSNAPI object 62, rather than the physical device 16 a-16 n. A DUETmodule is used to instantiate a DUET object 66 which provides servicesto translate between a set of device specific API calls and theproprietary protocol of the device 16 a-16 n, thereby hiding theproprietary protocol from the user.

DUET object 66 represents the detected device 16 a-16 n. Optionally, theapplication device and DUET module may be used to instantiate SNAPIobject 62 and DUET object 66 after the application device is associated.Associating an application device with a physical device is also knownas “binding.” As shown at blocks 190 and 180, the newly detected device16 a-16 n may either be manually or automatically bound.

SNAPI objects 62 are used as control interfaces for devices 16 a-16 n.Control requests for devices 16 a-16 n are processed by itscorresponding SNAPI objects 62. Thereby, a device 16 a-16 n (e.g., the“physical device”) is abstracted by its corresponding SNAPI objects 62.Any technique may be used to dynamically associate application devicewith new devices 16 a-16 n. According to the present invention, bindingmay include, but is not limited to, static binding and run-time binding.Static binding is known as program defined binding and dynamic bindingis known as run-time defined binding. The control program may be anyprogram capable of controlling the new device 16 a-16 n in a dynamicdevice environment. According to the present invention, the controlprogram for a new device 16 a-16 n may include, but is not limited to, aDUET module.

Under static binding, the port (e.g., a serial or IR port) to be usedfor device 16 a-16 n is predefined. The device 16 a-16 n actually to beconnected to that port is not required to be specified. Instead, thedevice 16 a-16 n on that port is dynamically detected at run-time andthen bound to the appropriate application device. Static binding may beused to hardcode the port to be used for a device without having tospecify the actual manufacturer or brand of the device.

Under dynamic binding, an application device and its associated classesare predefined. The port that the device 16 a-16 n is bound to is notrequired to be specified. Instead, new devices 16 a-16 n are bound tothe appropriate application devices at run-time. Devices 16 a-16 n maybe bound either manually or automatically as they are detected on thecontrol system 10. Any user interface may be used to manually bind anapplication device with a new device 16 a-16 n. In one embodiment,binding is manually specified using a web browser in communication witha web server application hosted on master controller 10, as generallyshown in FIGS. 9-14. Manual binding may be used in addition to automatedbinding. For instance, manual binding may be used to modify a device 16a-16 n that was automatically bound upon detection. Additionally, somedevices 16 a-16 n may be automatically bound while other devices 16 a-16n may be manually bound. For certain devices 16 a-16 n, dynamic bindingmay be preferable over manual binding. For instance, dynamic binding isthe preferred binding option for IP devices 16 a-16 n due to the dynamicnature of their IP addresses.

Numerous methods of detection may be used to detect devices 16 a-16 nthat are added to control system 10. According to the present invention,the methods of detection include, but are not limited to, dynamic devicediscovery protocol (DDDP) and user defined methods. A user definedmethod may be defined by a user using any means including the use of auser interface. Any user interface may be used to manually define amethod of detection. In one embodiment, a method of detection ismanually specified using a web browser in communication with a webserver application (e.g., a Java servlet) hosted on master controller10, as generally shown in FIGS. 9-14. According to the presentinvention, new device detection may use, but is not limited to, anexternal discovery protocol manager (e.g., UPNP), a multicast receptionof a dynamic device beacon, or receipt of a beacon response on anapplication specified list of serial devices.

Any communication protocol or interface may be used within the scope ofthe present invention for device detection. In one embodiment, dynamicphysical devices are detected over serial interfaces and IP interfacesusing DDDP. Dynamic device detection over IP interfaces may beconfigured to utilize the network's higher layers of multicast tobroadcast the existence of a new device 16 a-16 n. Serial devices may beconfigured to utilize DDDP or any other protocol, such as fixed protocolthat may be incompatible with DDDP. Dynamic device detection over serialinterfaces may utilize periodic polling of devices. In response to apoll request, devices 16 a-16 n may be configured to broadcast theirexistence upon their addition to control system 10. According to thepresent invention, the interfaces or ports (e.g., a NetLinx interface ora serial port) to be polled may be predefined or variable.

An application device may be associated with a particular device typeusing various techniques. In one possible embodiment, each device typecorresponds to a Java interface within a DUET device softwaredevelopment kit (SDK). A user specifies the device type of a particularapplication device by providing a particular SDK class name.

According to the present invention, dynamic IP device detection mayutilize sockets for communication between devices 16 a-16 n and mastercontrollers 40. In one possible embodiment, a multicast UDP sockethaving a predefined multicast group and port (e.g., port 9131) isutilized. A listener is used to listen for dynamic device beacons thatare sent by devices 16 a-16 n and dynamic device bindings that are sentby master controller 40 to notify other masters controllers 40 in acontrol area network 12 of the ownership of a dynamic device that haspreviously entered the system. Upon the dynamic binding of device 16a-16 n to an application device, a dynamic device binding is transmittedon the multicast group to notify all other master controllers 40 incontrol system 10 that the device 16 a-16 n has been bound. Conversely,when device 16 a-16 n is unbound, a notification is transmitted on themulticast group to notify all other master controllers 40 in controlsystem that the device 16 a-16 n has been unbound.

Referring to FIG. 8B, a flow chart illustrating dynamic IP deviceprocessing according to one possible embodiment of the present inventionis shown. As shown at block 202, a dynamic device beacon datagram packetis received. According to the present invention, devices 16 a-16 n areconfigured to transmit one or more device beacon messages. Transmissionof device beacon message may be configured to occur, without limitation,(i) when the device initially starts up, such as when the device isinitially booted or rebooted; (ii) upon a determination that the deviceconnection has been lost, such as upon the reboot of the master control,the device being unbound, or a network communication failure; (iii) atperiodic predefined or variable intervals; or (iv) by any otherreasonable means. The device beacon message may include, but is notlimited to, (i) information that is useful to connect the device, suchas the dynamic or static IP address, and the port; (ii) a universalunique identifier for the device (UUID); and/or (iii) informationspecific to the type of device. The device UUID is a unique identifierto distinguish one device from every other device. In one embodiment,the UUID for IP devices is the MAC ID, and the UUID for serial devicesis uniquely assigned by the manufacturer of the device. If a UUID is notsupplied by the manufacturer of a serial device, then the physicalNetLinx device address of the associated serial port to which the deviceis connected may be used as the UUID (e.g., 5001:1:0). Informationspecific to the type of device includes, but is not limited to, the SDKinterface class name, the DUET module match criteria, and/or the make,model and revision number of the device 16 a-16 n.

As shown at block 204, a search is performed for the new device withindevice database 230. The new device is compared against the existingentries in device database 230, at block 206. As shown at block 208, thenew device identifier and the IP address of the new device may not existin device database 230. For instance, when a new device is added to acontrol area network 12 for the first time an entry will not exist indevice database 230. If this occurs, the device is added to devicedatabase 230 as an unbound device.

As shown at blocks 210 and 212, the new device identifier may not existin device database 230, but another device may already exist with thenew device's IP address. For instance, restarting the DHCP server mayresult in a previously assigned IP address being reassigned to anotherdevice. Use of static IP addresses may similarly result in an IP addressconflict. If this occurs, the device entry is removed and the new deviceis added to device database 230. Additionally, if the conflicting devicewas bound, the DUET objects 66 and SNAPI objects 62 corresponding to theconflicting device are destroyed.

As shown at blocks 214 and 216, the new device identifier and the IPaddress of the new device may exist in device database 230. If thedevice information in device database 230 does not match, then thedevice information is updated in device database 230. For instance, anupdate to the firmware of the new device may result in its deviceinformation having a new revision number. In this situation, the newdevice information is updated in device database 230, and DUET object 66and SNAPI object 62 are instantiated.

As shown in block 216, it is possible that the new device is bound, andno DUET objects 66 and SNAPI objects 62 have been created for the newdevice. In one embodiment, at startup, DUET objects 66 and SNAPI objects62 are not automatically instantiated for bound IP devices. Instead, itis assumed that a device beacon message will be received from the newdevice 16 a-16 n to initiate the creation of DUET objects 66 and SNAPIobjects 62 corresponding to the new device. For instance, when a mastercontroller 10 is rebooted, it may take several minutes for the newdevice to timeout on its socket connection. When a device beacon messageis received by the master controller 10, a DUET object 66 and SNAPIobject 62 are created for the new device. If the new device is bound andDUET objects 66 and SNAPI objects 62 already exist for the new device 16a-16 n, then it is assumed that the DUET object 66 will re-connect todevice 16 a-16 n if it looses a connection.

As shown at blocks 218 and 220, the new device identifier may exist indevice database 230, but the new device's IP address does not match thedevice database entry. For instance, restarting the DHCP server maycause the new device to be reassigned a new IP address. The new IPaddress is updated in device database 230 if it does not conflict withany other entry.

Embodiments of the present invention may include, but art not limitedto, (i) updating existing device database entries based on the devicebeacon message content to dynamically update the IP address and otherdevice information; (ii) preventing IP address conflicts by destroyingold device information when a new device beacon message is received thatmatches an existing IP address; and (iii) preventing thrashing of DUETmodule loads and unloads where two or more devices have conflicting IPaddresses.

Referring to FIG. 8C, a flow chart illustrating dynamic serial deviceprocessing according to one possible embodiment of the present inventionis shown. Serial ports are polled for new serial device connectionswhich upon reply are added to device database 230. The present inventionmay be configured to poll all serial ports in control area network 12 ora subset thereof. In one embodiment, the serial ports to be polled aredefined using a NetLinx language subroutine, DYNAMIC_POLLED_PORT (DEVnetlinxDevice). A SerialDevice object is then created for each devicethat is defined by the NetLinx language subroutine. The defaultcommunication settings for each serial port is predefined as 9600 baud,8 bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. However, other possible communicationsettings are possible within the scope of the present invention.

As shown at block 252, serial devices are periodically polled for anynew devices by transmitting a poll message over the corresponding serialports. The period between such polling may be predefined. New devicesrespond by sending a new device beacon message which is received bymaster controller 10, as shown at block 252. The device beacon messagecontains device specific information, such as the device ID and otherinformation relating to the device's DUET module (e.g., SDK class andmatch criteria). As shown at block 256, device database 230 is thensearched for the new device. The new device is compared against theexisting entries in device database 230, at block 256. As shown at block258, the new device identifier and the serial port of the new device maynot exist in device database 230. For instance, when a new serial deviceis added to a control area network 12 for the first time an entry willnot exist in device database 230. If this occurs, the device is added todevice database 230 as an unbound device.

As shown at blocks 260 and 262, the new device identifier may alreadyexist in device database 230 for another device. If this occurs, thedevice entry is removed and the new device is added to device database230. Additionally, if the conflicting device was bound, the DUET objects66 and SNAPI objects 62 associated with the conflicting device aredestroyed.

As shown at blocks 264 and 266, the new device identifier and serialport of the new device may exist in device database 230. If the deviceinformation in device database 230 does not match, then the deviceinformation is updated in device database 230. For instance, an updateto the firmware of the new device may result in its device informationhaving a new revision number. In this situation, the new deviceinformation is updated in device database 230, and DUET object 66 andSNAPI object 62 are created from an appropriate DUET module.

As shown in block 266, it is possible that the new device is bound, anda corresponding DUET object 66 and SNAPI object 62 have not beeninstantiated for the new device. If the new device is bound and DUETobject 66 and SNAPI object 62 already exist for the new device, then itis assumed that DUET object 66 will re-connect to a device if it loosesa connection.

As shown at blocks 268 and 270, the new device identifier may exist indevice database 230, but the new device's serial port does not match thedevice database entry. If this occurs, the new serial port is updated indevice database 230.

The present invention provides APIs to access both the runtimeapplication device and device database as well as binding information.These APIs may be used by a binding application. In one embodiment, thebinding application is a Java servlet. The APIs include, but are notlimited to, retrieving application device information including thecurrent binding state and if a DUET object 66 and SNAPI object 62 areinstantiated for the binding; retrieving the list of devices 16 a-16 nthat are not yet bound to application devices (i.e., orphaned devices);binding an application device to a physical device; and unbinding anapplication device from its physical device.

Referring to FIGS. 9-14, an exemplary user interface and computerprogram for managing dynamic devices is shown. As shown in FIG. 9, theManage Other Devices user interface 300 may be used by a user tomanually manage devices in control area network 12. The Manage OtherDevices user interface 300 is displayed by selecting button 302.

Enable Auto Bind checkbox 308 allows a user to specify whether newdevices will be automatically bound. When auto-binding is enabled,master controller 40 will automatically attempt to connect newlydiscovered physical devices with associated application devices. In onenon-limiting embodiment, a newly discovered device and a single entry inapplication device database 231 is bound where there is a one-to-onecorrelation therebetween. For example, if the application has only oneVCR defined and a VCR is detected in the system, auto-bind willautomatically bind the VCR device to the VCR application device. WhenEnable Auto Bind checkbox 308 is not selected, no auto-bind activitywill take place and the binding of newly discovered devices may bemanually configured. Enable Subnet Match checkbox 310 allows a user tospecify whether IP devices should only be detected or discovered if theyare on the same IP subnet as the master controller 40. Purge BoundModules on Reset checkbox 312 allows a user to specify whether allmodules should be deleted from the bound directory upon the next reboot.During the binding process, the associated DUET modules for a device arecopied from the unbound directory into a protected bound area. Due tothe dynamic nature of Java class loading, it is not safe to delete arunning jar file. Purge Bound Modules on Reset checkbox 312 is providedto allow a user with the capability to remove existing modules uponreboot, thereby forcing a re-acquisition of the module at bind time.Optionally, upon reboot, the Purge Bound Modules on Reset checkbox 312selection will be cleared. The Save Settings button 314 allows a user tosave the current selected checkbox values to master controller 40.

Textarea 318 displays the DUET modules currently loaded on mastercontroller 40. The Manage Other Devices user interface 300 may be usedto delete, add and retrieve DUET modules. For instance, buttons 326 and320 may be selected to add and delete DUET modules, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 10, the Manage Device Bindings user interface 330 maybe used by a user to configure application defined SNAPI objects 62 withdiscovered devices 16 a-16 n in control area network 12. The ManageDevice Bindings user interface 330 is displayed by selecting button 304.A list of all application defined devices 16 a-16 n including thedefined “Friendly Name,” the DUET virtual DPS (device:port:system) andthe associated DUET Device SDK class indicating the type of the device.

Application devices include, but are not limited to, static applicationdevices and dynamic application devices. Static application devicesspecify an application device and its associated Device SDK class typeas well as a NetLinx physical device port that the application device isassociated with (i.e., statically bound). Dynamic application devicessimply specify the application device and its associated Device SDK withno association to a physical port. Binding of an application device to aphysical device/port will occur at run-time either via auto-bind ormanual binding. Application devices that have a bound physical devicewill display the physical device ID in the Physical Device column oftable 332. If a corresponding DUET object has been instantiated tocommunicate with the device, property information of device will bedisplayed in a mouse-over dialog 338 when the cursor hovers over thephysical device ID.

The entries in table 332 may have a button associated with it. Staticapplication devices may have an associated Release button 336. Dynamicapplication devices may have an associated Bind button 334 or Unbindbutton (not shown). A static application device that has not detected aphysical device attached to the predefined port will not have a buttonassociated with its entry. If a physical device has been detected andthe SNAPI object 62 and DUET object 66 have been instantiated, thenRelease button 336 is displayed. Upon selection of Release button 336,the corresponding SNAPI object 62 and DUET object 66 are destroyed andthe firmware will return to detecting physical devices attached to theport.

Dynamic application devices that have been bound will display an Unbindbutton (not shown). Upon selection of the Unbind button, anycorresponding SNAPI object 62 and DUET object 66 will be destroyed andthe association between the application device and the physical deviceis removed. Dynamic application devices that have not been bound to aphysical device will display Bind button 334. Upon selection of Bindbutton 334, a second level Manage Device Bindings user interface 350 isdisplayed, as shown in FIG. 11. The second level Manage Device Bindingsuser interface 350 displays the available unbound physical devices thatmatch the application device's Device SDK class type.

A user may select one of the available physical devices shown in userinterface 350 to bind with an application device. Upon selection of Savebutton 356, a binding is created and the master controller 40 locatesthe appropriate DUET module driver. Once a driver is found, the DUETmodule is used to instantiate DUET object 66, and the physical device isassociated with the specified application device. Upon selection ofCancel button 358, the binding activity will be aborted. A mouse-overdialog is provided to display the properties in popup dialog 360 thatare associated with a discovered physical device.

As shown in FIG. 12, the User Defined Device user interface 370 may beused by a user to provide dynamic device support for devices 16 a-16 nthat do not natively support dynamic device processing. The User DefinedDevice user interface 370 is displayed by selecting button 306. Devices16 a-16 n may be added or removed. Devices 16 a-16 n that have beenpreviously defined are shown in area 394 and may be removed by selectingbutton 396. Area 376 includes dynamic device properties as defined inthe table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Field Description Address Address field 378 may be used tospecify the address of the NetLinx master port DPS (device:port:system)value or IP address (#.#.#.#) of device 16a-16n. Device-Type Device-Typedrop-down menu field 380 may be used to specify the connectivity type ofdevice (e.g., IR, IP, serial, relay, other). SDK-Class SDK-Classdrop-down menu field 382 may be used to specify the SDK class type ofthe device. GUID GUID field 384 may be used to specify a manufacturerspecified ID of the manufacturer's device. Either the GUID field or theMake and Model fields must be specified. Make Make field 386 may be usedto specify the manufacturer name. Either the GUID field or the Make andModel fields must be specified. Model Model field 388 may be used tospecify the manufacturer model. Either the GUID field or the Make andModel fields must be specified. Revision Revision field 390 may be usedto specify a device firmware revision. This value automatically defaultsto 1.0.0. Properties Properties Add button 392 and fields may be used toAdd input additional name/value pairs of properties to be associatedwith the device.

Upon selection of Add button 372, the user defined device is added tophysical device database 230 and is displayed in area 394. Uponselection of Cancel button 374, the creation of a user defined device isaborted.

As shown in FIG. 13, the View Discovered Devices user interface 400 maybe used by a user to display all of the dynamic devices 16 a-16 n thathave been discovered in the control system 10. The View DiscoveredDevices user interface 400 is displayed by selecting button 306. Amouse-over display area 408 displays properties associated with a device16 a-16 n. If the device is bound to an application device, theassociated application device's “friendly name” will be displayed underthe Binding column of table 404. The Module Available column of table404 indicates if a DUET module is available on the system for thephysical device.

For each device 16 a-16 n, Search button 406 is provided to initiate asearch for compatible modules. Optionally, if Module Search via Internetbutton 316 has been previously selected, the search will includequerying an online database (e.g., an AMX online database) for acompatible module based on the device's properties. If the devicespecified a URL in its dynamic device discovery beacon, a file will beretrieved from the URL either over the Internet or from the physicaldevice itself, provided the device has an onboard HTTP or FTP server. IfModule Search via Internet button 316 has not previously been selected,then modules will be retrieved from the manufacturer's device. Modulesthat are retrieved from the Internet or from the manufacturer's devicewill be placed into an unbound directory and will automaticallyoverwrite any existing module of the same name.

As shown in FIG. 14, the Select Device Module user interface 410 may beused by a user to display each module along with a calculated matchvalue. The Manage Device Bindings user interface 330 is displayed byselecting Search button 406 after a list of all compatible modules iscompiled. The higher the match value, the better the match between theDUET module's properties and the physical device's properties. Amouse-over display area 420 for each module lists the propertiesassociated with the module. A user may select the DUET module to beassociated with device 16 a-16 n from the list of compatible modulesdisplayed in area 418. Upon selection of Save button 412, the selectedDUET module is associated with device 16 a-16 n. In one embodiment, theassociation does not affect any currently running DUET module associatedwith device 16 a-16 n, but, instead, will become effective after thenext system reboot. Upon selection of Cancel button 414, the associationof a DUET module with device 16 a-16 n is aborted.

Referring to FIGS. 9-14, the exemplary user interface and computerprogram for managing dynamic devices as shown manages the applicationdevices in the system along with their binding state. This includes thecurrent application defined application devices as well as anypre-existing application devices that were bound but no longer exist inthe application's list. The user interface may be used to bindapplication devices to unbound physical devices. The user interfaceprovides a user with the ability to manage bindings. Management ofbindings includes, but is not limited to, initiating a binding andunbinding existing bindings. If an existing binding is unbound and theassociated application device is no longer in the list of validapplication devices, then the application device will be automaticallyremoved from the system. If an existing binding is deleted, theassociated physical device will not automatically be deleted. Unboundphysical devices are lost on reboot, as it is expected that they will bere-acquired. The user interface to delete a physical device allows forre-acquisition of an application device for a serial device based on thepolling model.

  DYNAMIC_APPLICATION_DEVICE( DEV duetVirtualDevice, char[ ] deviceType,char[ ] friendlyName)

The DYNAMIC_APPLICATION_DEVICE NetLinx API causes an application device(41000-42000) to be added to the application device database 231. TheduetVirtualDevice values will be displayed to the user on a userinterface of the binding application. The deviceType will be used toensure a valid link between an application device and a physical device.The friendlyName string is used for display purposes by the bindingapplication.

DYNAMIC_POLLED_PORT (DEV NetlinxDevice)

The DYNAMIC_POLLED_PORT NetLinx API causes a NetLinx serial device to beadded to the polled serial devices 233 that are polled/listened for newdynamic devices.

STATIC_PORT_BINDING( DEV duetVirtualDevice,DEV netlinxDevice, char[ ]deviceType, char[ ] friendlyName, integer polled)

The STATIC_PORT_BINDING NetLinx API causes a permanent binding to beestablished between the designated DUET virtual device and thedesignated NetLinx Device and entries to be added to the applicationdevice database 231 and physical device database 230 (shellplaceholder). The deviceType field may be used to ensure a valid devicetype is attached to the physical port on the master. The polled variablespecifies if the designated netlinxDevice must be polled for devices(e.g., serial devices) or not (e.g., IR devices). Valid values areDUET_DEV_NOT_POLLED (0) and DUET_DEV_POLLED (1).

As previously mentioned, serial ports are polled for new serial devicesto control system 10. According to the present invention, the serialpoll request message may be of any form or content. In one embodiment,the serial poll request message is an ASCII string consisting of:

“AMX” <cr>

Serial ports attached to the polled serial ports are configured torespond to a poll request message with a dynamic device beacon message.According to the present invention, the dynamic device beacon messagemay be of any form or content.

In one embodiment, the dynamic device beacon message is an ASCII stringcontaining information specific to the attached serial physical device.The content of the ASCII string is packed together to minimize the datasize to support devices with minimum memory or processing. The ASCIIstring includes a prefix (e.g., “AMXB”) and one or more non-orderdependent name-value pairs separated by ‘<’ and ‘>’:

AMXB<name=value><name=value> . . . <cr>

Certain name-value pairs may be required. In one embodiment, Device-UUIDand Device-SDKClass name-value pairs are required. The Device-UUID is aunique identifier to distinguish the physical device from every otherdevice. For IP devices this will most likely be the MAC address. Forserial devices, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to create aunique value, for example, a combination of the manufacturer name andserial number. The Device-SDKClass is the class name that the associatedDUET module extends. This is a fully qualified class name includingpackage name. For example, a fully qualified VCR class name may be“com.amx.duet.devicesdk.VCR.”

Dynamic IP devices are configured to report the IP address and IP portvalue which will be used for communication between the DUET object 66the dynamic IP device. A combination of either Device-GUID orDevice-Make and Device-Model may also be supplied. These Device-GUID,Device-Make and Device-Model name-value pairs may be used to determinethe proper DUET Module driver that should be used to service thephysical device. The Device-GUID is a unique identifier designating aspecific manufacturers device. For example, the Device-GUID may identifya particular type of Sony VCR. All Sony VCRs of this type would have thesame Device-GUID. Similarly, the Device-Make and Device-Model valuesdelineate a particular manufacturer's device.

The dynamic device beacon message may also include, but is not limitedto, a Device-Revision and Bundle-Version. Device-Revision specifies aparticular firmware version that is running in the physical device.Bundle-Version specifies DUET Module version number required tointerface with the physical device.

In one embodiment, the end of the device beacon message ASCII string isdesignated with a carriage-return (‘\r’). For example, dynamic devicebeacon message may resemble the following without limitation:

AMXB<Device-UUID=1F:35:B9:00:41:AD><Device-SDKClass=com.amx.duet.devicesdk.VCR>Device-GUID=SONY137fb79><IP-Address=192.168.13.54> <IP-Port=2000><cr> OrAMXB<Device-UUID=YAMAHAXB1-3468901><Device-SDKClass=com.amx.duet.devicesdk.Receiver>Device-Make=Yamaha><Device-Model=XB1> <Device-Revision=v1.0.3><cr>

The name-value pairs contained within the beacon string (“<xxx=yyy>”)may be added to the Java Properties object that is associated with theJava NetLinxDevice object and ultimately the DUET object 66 thatcontrols the device.

A dynamic device binding notify message may be transmitted by any means.In one embodiment, a dynamic device binding notify message is sent viaUDP to multicast address 239.255.250.250 on port 9131 by a mastercontroller 40 when an IP physical device is bound and the mastercontroller 40 takes ownership of the device. According to the presentinvention, the dynamic device binding notify message may be of any formor content. In one embodiment, the dynamic device binding notify messageis an ASCII string that is identical to the beacon with the exception ofthe prefix, which is “AMXL,” indicating a device is bound (or locked).

The present invention thus includes a computer program which may behosted on a storage medium and includes instructions which perform theprocesses set forth in the present specification. The storage medium caninclude, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks,optical disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs,EEPROMs, flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of mediasuitable for storing electronic instructions.

Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative, and are not meantto limit the scope of the present invention in any manner. It istherefore to be understood that within the scope of the disclosedconcept, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed.

Alternate Embodiments

In accordance with disclosed embodiments, a discovery protocol mechanismis provided that allows a control system device, such as a server, todynamically bind to multiple master controllers. The disclosed discoveryprotocol mechanism includes a dynamic application device (DAD), adynamic physical device (DPD), and a master controller. The DAD isdefined in a controller program as a virtual device. The DPD comprises aphysical device transmitting a discovery protocol beacon. A mastercontroller comprises a control system master that has a DAD defined as acertain device type, e.g., a camera. A master controller may beimplemented such that various control system devices and controlleddevices may be communicatively coupled thereto.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic representation of a control system 1500configuration that provides for device control and monitoring and inwhich a dynamic device discovery routine implemented in accordance withdisclosed embodiments may be deployed. A controlled device developmentIDE 1510 may be used by device manufactures, e.g., a manufacturer ofcontrolled devices 1570-1572, to develop a Module for the correspondingcontrolled device. Alternatively, the development IDE 1510 may be usedby manufacturers or developers of control system devices. The deviceModule may be implemented as computer-executable or computer-readableinstructions tangibly embodied on a computer-readable medium. A device,such as a camera, tuner, or any other device that may be monitored,controlled, or otherwise manipulated via the control system, that is tobe deployed in a control system is referred to herein as a controlleddevice. A controlled device has a corresponding device Module thatfacilitates deployment and operation of the controlled device within thecontrol system. An integration IDE 1530 allows device dealers to easilyintegrate multiple Modules and their associated controlled devices intoa single control system 1500. Modules integrated with integration IDE1530 may be loaded onto a master controller 1540 to enable control ofthe corresponding devices communicatively coupled with the mastercontroller 1540 in the control system 1500. A remote monitoring system(RMS) server 1560 may feature a resource management suite that providesremote monitoring and control of various controlled devices 1570integrated in control system 1500. The RMS server 1560 may becommunicatively coupled, e.g., via a network 1550, with the mastercontroller 1540 and communicate with RMS agents installed on the mastercontroller 1540. The RMS enables administrators to gather status ofcontrolled devices and to control the devices participating in thecontrol system deployed via the master controller 1540.

Contemporary discovery protocols provide mechanisms for a dynamicphysical device to be automatically detected and bound to a mastercontroller 1540. For example, FIG. 16 depicts a diagrammaticrepresentation 1600 of a contemporary discovery and binding mechanism.Dynamic physical devices 1610-1611 may multicast a respective beacon1620-1621 that facilitates discovery of the DPDs 1610-1611 by arespective master controller 1630-1631. To successfully discover theDPDs 1610-1611 and bind the DPDs to the master controllers, a mastercontroller must have a dynamic application device that matches thedevice type of the DPD. For example, assuming master controller 1630 isconfigured with a DAD 1640 that matches the device type of DPD 1610,master controller 1630 will recognize DPD 1610 on receipt of the DPD'sbeacon 1620. The master controller may then dynamically bind DPD 1610thereto. In a similar manner, assuming master controller 1631 isconfigured with a DAD 1641 that matches the device type of DPD 1611, themaster controller 1631 will recognize DPD 1611 on receipt of the DPD'sbeacon 1621, and DPD 1611 is then dynamically bound to the mastercontroller 1631.

Once a DPD is bound to a master controller, the master controller willload the DPD's Module and establish communication with the DPD. Themaster controller then broadcasts a discovery protocol bindingnotification message notifying all other master controller that the DPDis no longer unbound. All master controllers receiving the discoveryprotocol binding notification message must remove the DPD from theirunbound DPD List.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic representation of a signaling flow 1700 of acontemporary device discovery and static binding routine. A DPD 1740broadcasts a dynamic device discovery protocol (DDDP) beacon on amulticast address 1750 (step 1702). Master controllers 1760-1761 maymonitor the multicast address for detection of a beacon. Forillustrative purposes, assume both master controllers 1760-1761 eachhave a DAD that matches the device type of DPD 1740. Accordingly, mastercontroller 1760, on detection of the beacon (step 1704), recognizes DPD1740 and adds DPD 1740 to an unbound DPD list maintained by mastercontroller 1760 (step 1706). Likewise, master controller 1761, ondetection of the beacon (step 1708), recognizes DPD 1740 and adds DPD1740 to an unbound DPD list maintained by master controller 1761 (step1710).

A system integrator 1730 may access a master controller, e.g., mastercontroller 1760, via a web interface or other suitable communicationinterface, to explicitly bind DPD 1740 to the correct master controller(step 1712), e.g., master controller 1760 in the illustrative example.The master controller 1760 may then load DPD's 1740 Module (step 1714),and thereafter initiate control and communication of the DPD (step1716). The master controller 1760 then broadcasts a DPD bindingnotification on a multicast address (step 1718) which is then detectedby the master controller 1761 (step 1720). The master controller 1761then removes DPD 1740 from the unbound DPD list maintained thereby (step1722).

The discovery and static binding routine of FIG. 17 requires anadministrator to make an explicit, manual choice of which mastercontroller a DPD is bound. Some mechanisms provide an auto-bind optionthat facilitates a master controller to automatically bind to any DPDwhich matches a DAD maintained by the master controller. However,contemporary auto-bind mechanisms may cause catastrophic, undefinedresults when multiple master controllers attempt to bind to the sameDPD. Accordingly, static bind mechanisms are preferred in conventionalsystems when multiple master controllers are listening to the samemulticast address for a common DPD device type.

Conventional device discovery mechanisms are suitable for devices thatcan only bind to one master. However, numerous devices exist, such ascontrol system servers including RMS servers that must bind to multiplemaster controllers.

FIG. 18 depicts a diagrammatic representation 1800 of a device discoveryand binding mechanism implemented in accordance with disclosedembodiments. Dynamic physical devices 1810-1812 may multicast arespective beacon 1820-1822 that facilitates discovery of the DPDs1810-1812 by a master controller 1830-1832. To successfully discover theDPDs 1810-1812 and bind the DPDs to the master controllers, a mastercontroller must have a dynamic application device that matches thedevice type of the DPD. For example, assuming master controller 1830 hasa DAD 1840 that matches the device type of DPD 1810, master controller1830 will recognize DPD 1810 on receipt of the DPD's 1810 beacon 1820.The master controller 1830 may then dynamically bind DPD 1810 thereto.In a similar manner, assuming master controller 1831 has a DAD 1841 thatmatches the device type of DPD 1811, the master controller 1831 willrecognize DPD 1811 on receipt of the DPD's 1811 beacon 1821, and DPD1811 is then dynamically bound to the master controller 1831.

In accordance with an embodiment, a discovery protocol beacon isextended with an optional DPD device Type flag that indicates if the DPDis a discovery protocol-compatible (DP) server. Thus, on receipt of thebeacon, a master controller may evaluate the beacon for the presence ofthe DPD device Type flag. If the device Type Flag is present in thebeacon, the value of the flag indicates if the DPD is a DP server. Inthe event the DPD is a DP server, the DP server may be advantageouslyallowed to bind to multiple master controllers. In the event that thedevice Type Flag is not included in the beacon, the device is assumed tobe a DP Device, and binding of the DPD is performed according to theabove described mechanisms.

In the illustrative example, assume beacon 1822 transmitted by DPD 1812is an extended beacon including a device Type Flag. Further assume thatDPD 1812 comprises a DP server, such as an RMS server. Accordingly, DPD1812 may set the beacon's device Type flag to indicate DPD 1812 is a DPserver. Further assume that each of master controllers 1830-1832 have aDAD 1842 that matches the device type of DPD 1812. In this instance, DPD1812 is allowed to bind to each of master controllers 1830-1832 thatreceive DPD's 1812 beacon 1822.

To facilitate binding a server to multiple master controllers, a mastercontroller does not broadcast a binding notification notifying othermaster controllers the DPD is no longer unbound in the event a DP serveris successfully bound to the mater controller. Thus, multiple mastercontrollers 1830-1832 are allowed to bind to the same DP server 1812.

A master controller's discovery protocol firmware may be extended toallow an alternative auto-bind option for DP devices and DP serversthereby allowing master controllers to auto-bind to DP servers whilestill requiring a static bind procedure to be performed with DP devices.

FIG. 19 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a signaling flow 1900of a device discovery and binding routine that facilitates binding of aserver to multiple masters in accordance with an embodiment. In theillustrative example, assume that master controllers 1970-1971 areimplemented in accordance with contemporary master controllerconfigurations and are not capable of recognizing a device Type Flag ina DDDP beacon, and master controllers 1980-1981 are configured accordingto the disclosed embodiments and are capable of recognizing a deviceType Flag in a DDDP beacon. Further assume that server 1950 isimplemented according to the disclosed embodiments and is adapted totransmit a DDDP beacon including a device Type Flag that indicateswhether the device comprises a DP device or a DP server.

A DPD comprising a DP server 1950 transmits a DDDP beacon that includesa device Type (DT) Flag to a multicast address 1960 (step 1902). In thepresent example, the device Type Flag is set to a value that indicatesthe DPD comprises a DP server. Conventionally configured mastercontroller 1970 detects the DDDP beacon at the multicast address (step1904) and adds the DPD to an unbound DPD list maintained by mastercontroller 1970 (step 1906). Likewise, conventionally configured mastercontroller 1971 detects the DDDP beacon at the multicast address (step1908) and adds the DPD to an unbound DPD list maintained by mastercontroller 1971 (step 1910).

Master controller 1980 detects the DDDP beacon at the multicast address(step 1912). Master controller 1980 is configured to recognize the DDDPdevice Type Flag of the DDDP beacon and thus evaluates the DDDP beaconfor the device Type Flag. On detection of the DDDP device Type Flag,master controller 1980 evaluates the value of the device Type Flag anddetermines the device Type Flag indicates the DPD device comprises a DPserver. Accordingly, master controller 1980 then loads a device Modulefor the DPD (step 1914), and may thereafter commence communication andcontrol of the DPD (step 1916). Likewise, master controller 1981 detectsthe DDDP beacon at the multicast address (step 1918). Master controller1981 is configured to recognize the DDDP device Type Flag of the DDDPbeacon and thus evaluates the DDDP beacon for the device Type Flag. Ondetection of the DDDP device Type Flag, master controller 1981 evaluatesthe value of the device Type Flag and determines the device Type Flagindicates the DPD device comprises a DP server. Accordingly, mastercontroller 1981 then loads a device Module for the DPD (step 1920), andmay thereafter commence communication and control of the DPD (step1922).

A system integrator 1940 may access a master controller, e.g., mastercontroller 1970, via a web interface or other suitable communicationinterface, to explicitly bind the DP server 1950 to the correctconventionally configured master controller (step 1924), e.g., mastercontroller 1970 in the illustrative example. The master controller 1970may then load the DPD's 1950 Module (step 1926), and thereafter initiatecontrol and communication of the DPD (step 1928). The master controller1970 then multicasts a DPD binding notification (step 1930) which isthen detected by the conventionally configured master controller 1971(step 1932). The master controller 1971 may then remove DPD 1950 fromthe unbound DPD list maintained thereby (step 1934).

Thus, conventionally configured master controllers 1970-1971 add the DPDserver to their unbound DPD list as they would for any other DPD andthus still require a system integrator to explicitly select the mastercontroller to bind the DPD to a particular master controller. Mastercontrollers implemented in accordance with disclosed embodiments areadvantageously able to automatically load a DPD module for a DP serverand initiate communication with the server without administratorintervention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart 2000 that depicts a device discovery and bindingroutine that facilitates binding a server to multiple masters inaccordance with an embodiment. The processing steps of FIG. 20 may beimplemented as computer-executable instructions executable by aprocessing system, such as master controller 1980 depicted in FIG. 19.

The discovery and binding routine is invoked (step 2002), and the mastercontroller 1980 monitors the multicast address on which DDDP beacons arebroadcast (step 2004). On detection of a DDDP beacon (step 2006), themaster controller adds the DPD to the unbound DPD list (step 2008). Anevaluation is then made to determine if the beacon includes a DeviceType Flag (step 2010) in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. Ifno device Type Flag is included in the beacon, processing may thencontinue to monitor the multicast address (step 2022). Returning againto step 2010, if the beacon includes a Device Type Flag, an evaluationis then made to determine if the Device Type Flag indicates a DP server(step 2012). If so, the master controller may then load the DPD's Moduleand remove the DPD from the unbound list (step 2014) and may thencommence communication with the DPD and control thereof (step 2016)according to the disclosed embodiments. An evaluation may then be madeto determine if the Device Type Flag indicates a DP server (step 2018).If not, a binding notification is then broadcast (step 2020) thatindicates the DPD is bound thereto, and the device discovery and bindingroutine cycle may then end (step 2030). If the Device Type Flagindicates a DP server at step 2018, the device discovery and bindingroutine cycle may then end according to step 2030.

Returning again to step 2012, if the Device Type Flag does not indicatea DP server, the multicast address may continue to be monitored (step2022), and an evaluation of whether the DAD is bound to a DPD by anadministrator may be made (step 2024). If the DAD is bound to a DPD, theDPD's module may then be loaded according to step 2014. If the DAD isnot bound to the DPD, the master controller may evaluate whether abinding notification has been broadcast on the multicast addressindicating the DPD has been bound to another master controller (step2026). If the DPD has not been bound to another master controller, themaster controller may continue monitoring the broadcast addressaccording to step 2022 until the DAD is bound to the DPD. In the eventthat a binding notification is detected at step 2026, the mastercontroller 1980 then removes the DPD from the unbound DPD listmaintained by the master controller 1980 (step 2028), and the devicediscovery and binding routine cycle may then end according to step 2030.

Servers may be deployed in large installations, such as universities orlarge multiple dwelling units, with many installed master controllerssystem. Inclusion of the device Type Flag in the device discovery beaconprovides for automatic discovery of a server and loading of the server'smodule at the master controller for communication and control of theserver without intervention by an administrator.

As described, mechanisms for dynamic device discovery and binding ofservers to multiple master controllers are provided. In oneimplementation, a device discovery beacon that includes a device TypeFlag may be broadcast by a dynamic physical device. If the dynamicphysical device comprises a server that is configured to bind tomultiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may set thevalue of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical devicecomprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controllerconfigured according to disclosed embodiments may evaluate the deviceType Flag. Upon determining the device Type Flag indicates the dynamicphysical device comprise a server, the master controller may load adevice Module for the dynamic physical device and commencecommunications with the dynamic physical device. In this instance, themaster controller advantageously does not broadcast a bindingnotification thereby allowing other master controllers to bind with thedynamic physical device.

The flowcharts of FIGS. 5,8A-8C, and 20 depict process serialization tofacilitate an understanding of disclosed embodiments and are notnecessarily indicative of the serialization of the operations beingperformed. In various embodiments, the processing steps described inFIGS. 5,8A-8C, and 20 may be performed in varying order, and one or moredepicted steps may be performed in parallel with other steps.Additionally, execution of some processing steps of FIGS. 5, 8A-8C, and20 may be excluded without departing from embodiments disclosed herein.

The illustrative block diagrams depict process steps or blocks that mayrepresent modules, segments, or portions of code that include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process. Although the particular examples illustratespecific process steps or procedures, many alternative implementationsare possible and may be made by simple design choice. Some process stepsmay be executed in different order from the specific description hereinbased on, for example, considerations of function, purpose, conformanceto standard, legacy structure, user interface design, and the like.

Aspects of the present invention may be implemented in software,hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. The various elements ofthe system, either individually or in combination, may be implemented asa computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readablestorage device for execution by a processing unit. Various steps ofembodiments of the invention may be performed by a computer processorexecuting a program tangibly embodied on a computer-readable medium toperform functions by operating on input and generating output. Thecomputer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory, a transportablemedium such as a compact disk, a floppy disk, or a diskette, such that acomputer program embodying the aspects of the present invention can beloaded onto a computer. The computer program is not limited to anyparticular embodiment, and may, for example, be implemented in anoperating system, application program, foreground or background process,driver, network stack, or any combination thereof, executing on a singleprocessor or multiple processors. Additionally, various steps ofembodiments of the invention may provide one or more data structuresgenerated, produced, received, or otherwise implemented on acomputer-readable medium, such as a memory.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated inthe accompanied drawings and described in the foregoing description, itwill be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodimentsdisclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, andsubstitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as setforth and defined by the following claims. For example, the capabilitiesof the invention can be performed fully and/or partially by one or moreof the blocks, modules, processors or memories. Also, these capabilitiesmay be performed in the current manner or in a distributed manner andon, or via, any device able to provide and/or receive information.Further, although depicted in a particular manner, various modules orblocks may be repositioned without departing from the scope of thecurrent invention. Still further, although depicted in a particularmanner, a greater or lesser number of modules and connections can beutilized with the present invention in order to accomplish the presentinvention, to provide additional known features to the presentinvention, and/or to make the present invention more efficient. Also,the information sent between various modules can be sent between themodules via at least one of a data network, the Internet, an InternetProtocol network, a wireless source, and a wired source and viaplurality of protocols.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a firstmaster controller, a first device discovery beacon from a first controlsystem device; determining the first device discovery beacon includes adevice type flag; determining a value indicates the first control systemdevice is configured to bind to multiple master controllers; loading, bythe first master controller, an instance of a device module associatedwith the first control system device responsive to determining thevalue; receiving, by the first master controller, a second devicediscovery beacon from a second control system device; determining thesecond device discovery beacon does not include a device type flag; anddetecting, by the first master controller, a notification indicating thesecond control system device has been bound to another mastercontroller.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, bya second master controller, the first device discovery beacon from thefirst control system device; evaluating the beacon for inclusion of thedevice type flag; determining the beacon includes the device type flag;evaluating the value of the device type flag; determining the valueindicates the first control system device comprises a server configuredto bind to multiple master controllers; and loading, by the secondmaster controller, an instance of the device module associated with thefirst control system device responsive to determining the valueindicates the device comprises the server configured to bind to multiplemaster controllers.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, by the first master controller, a third device discoverybeacon from a second control system device; evaluating the third devicediscovery beacon for inclusion of a device type flag; determining thethird device discovery beacon includes the device type flag; evaluatinga value of the device type flag of the third device discovery beacon;determining the value of the device type flag of the third devicediscovery beacon indicates the second control system device does notcomprise a server configured to bind to multiple master controllers; andadding, by the first master controller, a designation of the secondcontrol system device to an unbound dynamic physical device listmaintained by the first master controller.
 4. The method of claim 3,further comprising: receiving, by the first master controller, adirective to bind a dynamic application device associated with thesecond control system device to the first master controller; andloading, by the first master controller, an instance of a device moduleassociated with the second control system device responsive to receivingthe directive.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprisingbroadcasting, by the first master controller, a binding notification ona multicast address indicating the second control system device has beenbound to the first master controller.
 6. The method of claim 1,comprising evaluating at least one of: the second device discoverybeacon for inclusion of the device type flag; and the value of thedevice type flag.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the another mastercontroller is different from the first master controller.
 8. The methodof claim 1, further comprising commencing communication and control ofthe first control system device by the first master controllerresponsive to loading the instance of the device module.
 9. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable instructions for execution by a processing system,the computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessing system to: receive, by a first master controller, a firstdevice discovery beacon from a first control system device; determinethe beacon includes the device type flag; determine a value of thedevice type flag indicates the first control system device is configuredto bind to multiple master controllers; load, by the first mastercontroller, an instance of a device module associated with the firstcontrol system device responsive to determining the value; receive, bythe first master controller, a second device discovery beacon from asecond control system device; determine the second device discoverybeacon does not include the device type flag; and detect, by the firstmaster controller, a notification indicating the second control systemdevice has been bound to another master controller.
 10. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, furthercomprising instructions that, when executed, cause the processing systemto: receive, by a second master controller, the first device discoverybeacon from the first control system device; evaluate the beacon forinclusion of the device type flag; determine the beacon includes thedevice type flag; evaluate the value of the device type flag; determinethe value indicates the first control system device comprises a serverconfigured to bind to multiple master controllers; and load, by thesecond master controller, an instance of the device module associatedwith the first control system device responsive to determining the valueindicates the device comprises the server configured to bind to multiplemaster controllers.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 9, further comprising instructions that, when executed,cause the processing system to: receive, by the first master controller,a third device discovery beacon from a second control system device;evaluate the third device discovery beacon for inclusion of a devicetype flag; determine the third device discovery beacon includes thedevice type flag; evaluate a value of the device type flag of the thirddevice discovery beacon; determine the value of the device type flag ofthe third device discovery beacon indicates the second control systemdevice does not comprise a server configured to bind to multiple mastercontrollers; and add, by the first master controller, a designation ofthe second control system device to an unbound dynamic physical devicelist maintained by the first master controller.
 12. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 11, further comprisinginstructions that, when executed, cause the processing system to:receive, by the first master controller, a directive to bind a dynamicapplication device associated with the second control system device tothe first master controller; and load, by the first master controller,an instance of a device module associated with the second control systemdevice responsive to receiving the directive.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 12, further comprisinginstructions that, when executed, cause the processing system tobroadcast, by the first master controller, a binding notification on amulticast address indicating the second control system device has beenbound to the first master controller.
 14. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprisinginstructions that, when executed, cause the processing system toevaluate at least one of: the second device discovery beacon forinclusion of the device type flag; and the value of the device typeflag.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim9, wherein the another master controller is different from the firstmaster controller.
 16. A system, comprising: a first dynamic physicaldevice that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers; afirst master controller communicatively coupled with the first dynamicphysical device that comprises a first instance of a dynamic applicationdevice corresponding to the first dynamic physical device; and a secondmaster controller communicatively coupled with the first dynamicphysical device that comprises a second instance of the dynamicapplication device that corresponds to the first dynamic physicaldevice, wherein the first dynamic physical device broadcasts a firstdevice discovery beacon that comprises a device type flag having a valuethat indicates the first dynamic physical device comprises a server,wherein the first master controller and the second master controllerreceive the first device discovery beacon, wherein the first mastercontroller loads a first instance of a device module associated with thefirst dynamic physical device responsive to a determination that thevalue indicates the first dynamic physical device comprises the server,and wherein the second master controller loads a second instance of thedevice module responsive to a determination that the value indicates thefirst dynamic physical device comprises a server, wherein the firstmaster controller detects a notification that indicates the seconddynamic physical device has been bound to the second master controller.17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first master controller receivesa third device discovery beacon from a second dynamic physical device,evaluates the third device discovery beacon for inclusion of a devicetype flag, determines the third device discovery beacon includes thedevice type flag, evaluates a value of the device type flag of the thirddevice discovery beacon, determines the value of the device type flag ofthe third device discovery beacon indicates the second dynamic physicaldevice does not comprise a server configured to bind to multiple mastercontrollers, and adds a designation of the second dynamic physicaldevice to an unbound dynamic physical device list maintained by thefirst master controller.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the firstmaster controller receives a directive to bind an instance of a dynamicapplication device that corresponds to the second dynamic physicaldevice to the first master controller and loads an instance of a devicemodule associated with the second dynamic physical device responsive toa receipt of the directive.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein thefirst master controller and the second master controller receive thefirst device discovery beacon and respectively evaluate the device typeflag value.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the first mastercontroller and the second master controller receive the second devicediscovery beacon and respectively evaluate the device type flag value.